Good morning

Visual Options

Earwigs

Common earwigs are usually found outside where they feed on dead animals and live or dead plants.

Where do they come from?

Earwigs mainly live outdoors where they can scavenge for food, but tend to come indoors for protection during the colder months. Earwigs are nocturnal creatures, hiding during the day in cracks and crevices, under doors and windows.

Do earwigs do any harm?

In the garden earwigs have a reputation for damaging plants, and most people do not realise that do some good as well by preying on insects like aphids and greenflies. Indoors they are mainly a nuisance, collecting in humid places like bathrooms, sometimes feeding and fouling on food.

How do earwigs get in the house?

Earwigs have wings, but only fly very reluctantly. They do not crawl very far either. However, they are very adept at being carried, often hiding in folded newspapers, cut flowers or even luggage. Earwigs may be entering the house through the windows, so if you have long grass close to the building or climbing plants on the walls, cut these back.

How do I get rid of them?

Cutting back the vegetation close to doors and windows and then treating the cleared areas with spray or dust insecticides, especially during damp weather, will control earwigs' entry into the house. Remember, for your own safety to follow manufacturers' instructions when using insecticides.